Connecticut General Statutes Title 19A. Public Health and Well-Being § 19a-127o. Patient safety organizations

(a) For purposes of this section:

(c) A health care provider shall enter into a written contract with each patient safety organization to which it sends patient safety work product. Each contract shall require the provider to maintain a document log itemizing the types of documents submitted to patient safety organizations without indicating the content of such documents. Such document log shall be accessible to the department for the sole purpose of allowing the department to verify the type of information submitted to patient safety organizations. The department shall not have access to patient safety work product. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-210, 1-211 and 1-213, such document log shall not be subject to disclosure to, or use by, any person or entity, other than the patient safety organization and the provider with which it has contracted, and by the department for the sole purpose provided in this subsection.

(d) A patient safety organization shall, as appropriate, disseminate to health care providers, the department, the Quality of Care Advisory Committee, as established by section 19a-127l, and the public, information or recommendations, including suggested policies, procedures or protocols, on best medical practices or potential system changes designed to improve patient safety and the overall quality of care.

(e) A patient safety organization shall have in place appropriate safeguards and security measures to ensure the technical integrity and physical safety of any patient safety work product. Patient safety work product shall be confidential, and shall not be subject to any discovery, access or use by any person or entity other than the patient safety organization and the provider with which the patient safety organization has contracted. Patient safety work product, if submitted to a public or governmental organization, shall not be subject to the provisions of section 1-210, 1-211 or 1-213. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a patient safety organization from choosing to disclose patient safety work product, or portions of patient safety work product, in conformity with its mission and within its contractual obligations to the provider submitting the information. No patient safety organization may release protected health information or patient identifying information without meeting the requirements of state laws and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,  1 as amended from time to time.

(f) A provider's disclosure of patient safety work product to a patient safety organization shall not modify, limit or waive any existing privilege or confidentiality protection.